Definition & calculation
Calculate new cases of diarrhoea among children under five over a defined period relative to the under-five population at risk, using facility data triangulated with survey recall.
Means of verification
Health facility registers, community health surveillance, household survey (standardised recall period)
Interpretation
Direction: Lower is better
Typical reporting frequency: Baseline and endline (or periodic evaluation)
Guidance & common pitfalls
Diarrhoea is multi-causal, so attribution to WASH is partial; use as a shared health-WASH impact proxy alongside outcome indicators, and standardise the recall period.
This library is a curated reference to adapt, aligned generically with recognised humanitarian frameworks (Sphere, cluster registries, IASC, CHS and others). It is not an official indicator registry — always use the exact indicator definitions your donor or cluster requires.
Related indicators
- % of households with access to and use of sufficient soap and essential hygiene items
- % of sampled water points / household stored-water samples meeting agreed safety standards (0 CFU E. coli / adequate free residual chlorine)
- % of target community members who can identify at least one functioning channel to give feedback or raise a complaint about WASH services
- % of target population observed or reporting handwashing with soap at critical times